Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a class of drug formerly known as psychedelics.  These are drugs that alter mood, perception, and image, and there are similarities between the effects of these drugs and the symptoms of psychotic disorders. There are variations in the overall effect, depending on the amount of the drug taken and ranging from slight modifications in perception to overt hallucinations.

 

The three main drugs in this class include LSD, mushrooms, PCP.  Marijuana is also considered a mood- and perception-altering drug, but will be discussed in a section of its own. Drugs such as marijuana and mushrooms have been in use for thousands of years.  They have been used in religious and healing rituals. They have also been used to provide escape, pleasure, and power.  The study of some of these older drugs has resulted in new ones that are being used today in much the same manner.

 

The perceptions being altered typically concern the external world.  Sensory information such as color, shape, rhythm, and scent is modified during it's journey through the brain under the drug's influence.  Usually, the altered perception is experienced as more pleasant or interesting.  Once in awhile the experience is unpleasant, but this is a risk most users are willing to take. 

 

Mushrooms  Hallucinogenic mushrooms occur within one large family, the Agaricaceae, found worldwide. Some of these mushrooms are actually poisonous.  Toxic effects can occur with large doses of nonpoisonous mushrooms as well. Some of these mushrooms look so similar that accidental poisonings are not uncommon.  The effects include increased perception of colors, object definition, patterns and shapes; and afterimages that are longer than usual.  Physical effects may include nausea, sleepiness, blurred vision, dilated pupils, and some icnrease in muscle tone.  The overall experience is usually euphoric, but anxiety may occur and images may become frightening in their intensity or unusual content.  All effects are usually over in about 3 hours.

 

LSD  Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, or LSD, is a synthetic hallucinogen with a structure similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin.  Although LSD does not occur in nature, other derivatives of lysergic acid are found in nature.  LSD was synthesized by two Swiss chemists in 1938.  The effects of LSD are remarkably similar to the symptoms of schizophrenia.  The distinguishing feature between the two is that an LSD user usually knows that the hallucinations are drug-induced.  The discovery of these similarities  allowed researchers to conclude correctly that disorders such as schizophrenia could result from chemical imbalance in the brain.  This in turn led to the conclusion that solutions to such problems, in the form of specially designed medications, were possible.

 

LSD is rapidly absorbed, and an average dose of 25 micrograms (about one-millionth of an ounce) can produce significant effects lasting 10 to 12 hours. LSD's potency is impressive because brain tissues contain the lowest concentration of LSD of any body tissue at all times after the drug is taken.

 

LSD also induces rapid tolerance.  Doses at close intervals are completely ineffective within about three days.  Tolerance to LSD crosses to most other hallucinogens, but not to marijuana. LSD effects occur in three phases.  First the central nervous system in stimulated, resulting in increased heart rate, elevated temperature, and dilated pupils.  Next sensory effects predominate, including sensory distortions and pseudohallucinations.  A phenomenon known as synesthesia may also occur--the mixing of sensory information so that colors may be "heard" and sounds may be "seen."  The boundaries of the body may beome difficult to distinguish. In the third phase, true hallucinations and even psychotic episodes may occur and fear of identity loss may become overpowering. LSD also has an analgesic, or pain-relieving, effect.  It is also referred to as acid, tab, California sunshine, barrels, contact lens, and white lightning.

 

PCP  Phencyclidine, also known as PCP or angel dust, was synthesized in the 1950's as a nonbarbiturate, nonnarcotic anesthetic agent. Although toxic and sometimes lethal contaminants have been a problem, PCP is cheap and relatively easy to synthesize.  For that reason it is frequently combined with, or substituted for, other drugs.  PCP has considerable abuse potential.

 

PCP produces dissociative anesthesia, a sort of semiconscious separation from sensation without the central nervous system depression that accompanies other anesthetics. PCP was originally of interest to drug companies, and no problems were noted during its development and testing on various species of animals. Parke-Davis patented PCP in 1963, but it proved to be unusable for humans, causing hallucinations, delirium, muscle rigidity, and seizures. It was pulled from human use less than 2 years after its patent, but continues to be used legally for veterinary use.

 

PCP can be taken orally, snorted, or smoked. Mixing PCP with marijuana results in a very potent and toxic drug known as Super Grass or Love Boat.  PCP mixed with heroin is known as spacebase and is similarly intense and dangerous. The usual duration of a single average dose of PCP is 4 to 6 hours.  Higher doses can have an effect for a much longer time. It can accumulate in body fat and also in the brain, therefore increasing the duration of action.

 

Low dose effects resemble those of alcohol, except for a unique, generalized numbness affecting all extremities. Higher doses produce analgesia, sensory disturbances, muscle rigidity and perhaps even changes in consciousness.  High doses can also cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Perceptual symptoms associated with PCP use include detachment and feeling "out-of-one's body," auditory and/or visual hallucinations, apathy, drowsiness, inability to concentrate, and difficulty thinking or talking. Physical effects can also include dizziness, elevated blood pressure, rapid pulse, flushing, sweating, nausea, and possibly loss of bladder and bowel control.

 

Toxic reactions are not uncommon and include agitation, aggression, violent behavior, and a very unusual blank stare that can persist into a coma.  The individual generally also poses a danger to himself as well as others--accidents such as falls, burns, car crashes, and drowning are significant risks, not only because of impaired perception and coordination, but also because of delusional beliefs combined with aggression, violence, and lack of sensitivity to pain.  Recovery from toxic reactions is usually complete but slow.

 

For more information on hallucinogens, visit http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/hallucinogens/halluc2.html.